Push-on handle

ABSTRACT

Push-on handles having slots for receiving circuit boards to be carried by the handles are described. Each handle consists of an elongated member, formed longitudinally on one side thereof with a slot, and at least one retaining member having a sharp-edged projection formed and located to dig resiliently and obliquely into a surface of the circuit board to resist the withdrawal of the circuit board from the slot. The retaining member may be fitted wholly inside the slot or mounted outside the elongated member with the sharp-edged projection beyond the slot. The retaining member may be a substantially U-shaped member fitted into the inside of the slot, or about the longitudinal member, with a sharp-edged projection at each end, the projections being set at angles in V-form pointing towards the base of the slot. The slot may converge towards its opening with the mating member fitting the internal contour of the slot.

[ Nov. 18, 1975 Schmall PUSH-ON HANDLE [75] Inventor: Karl-Heinz Schmall, Baden-Baden,

Germany [73] Assignee: Precitec Gesellschaft fur Prazisionstechnik und Elektronik, Baden-Baden, Germany.

[22] Filed: May 28, 1974 [21] Appl. No: 474,027

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data June 9, 1973 Germany 2329669 [52] US. Cl 16/110 R; 24/251; 24/260 [51] Int. Cl. A47J 45/00 [58] Field of Search 224/45 R, 45 S, 45 P; 294/33 R; 24/4, 83, 84 H, 259, 264, 263, 262, 260, 251; 16/872, 1 10 R, DIG. 24

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 022.663 4/1912 Ehmann 24/260 817.133 12/1957 Mills 24/260 824,913 2/1958 Taylor... 24/251 2 990.961 7/1961 Schneider 24/251 3 137.027 6/1964 Birkle 24/260 3,214,810 11/1965 Mathison 24/260 3,767,092 10/1973 Garrison et a1. 24/84 H FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 863.749 2/1971 Canada 224/45 P Primary E.\'amilierRobert J. Spar Assistant Eranziner Kenneth Noland Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Larson, Taylor & Hinds 5 7 ABSTRACT Push'on handles having slots for receiving circuit boards to be carried by the handles are described. Each handle consists of an elongated member, formed longitudinally on one side thereof with a slot, and at least one retaining member having a sharp-edged projection formed and located to dig resiliently and obliquely into a surface of the circuit board to resist the withdrawal of the circuit board from the slot. The retaining member may be fitted wholly inside the slot or mounted outside the elongated member with the sharp-edged projection beyond the slot. The retaining member may be a substantially U-shaped member titted into the inside of the slot, or about the longitudinal member, with a sharp-edged projection at each end. the projections being set at angles in V-form pointing towards the base of the slot. The slot may converge towards its opening with the mating member fitting the internal contour of the slot.

12 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures US. Patent Nov. 18, 1975 for receiving circuits boards to be carried by the handles. I

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Such push-on handles, which serve for better handling ofcircuit boards equipped with electronic components and frequently and simultaneously for the reception of name plates for the respective circuit boards, are known and usual in various forms. They are secured on the respective circuit boards by using adhesive to stick the circuit boards in the slots or by the use of readily available types of securingelements such especially as screws.

- Such securing methods, as may be seen, are unsatisfactorywith regard to rapid connection of the push-on handle with the circuit board. On the other hand pure force-engaging connections, especially clamp connections, are not satisfactory because an absolutely firm and durable connection between the push-on handle 'and circuit board mustbe guaranteed even if major forces are exerted in a direction such as to pull the board out of the handle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly the invention is based upon the problem of avoiding the disadvantages of the prior art, that is the particular problem of producing a pushon handle which, on the one hand, can be connected with the associated circuit board in a short time, simply and without the use of additional securing means, and which on the other hand, is held firmly and durably on this circuit board. i

According to the invention, this problem is solved primarily in that on the handle there is provided at least one retaining element with a sharp-edged formation which is directed resiliently and'preferably obliquely against the surface of the circuit board. The retaining element is formed, as regards hardness and angular setting of the edge directed against the circuit board, in such a way that the retaining element tends to yield away from the circuit board'when the circuit board is pushed into the slot andtends to dig itself into .the surface of the circuit board, in such a way that a firm connection exists as a result of the shape of the retaining element. Since the properties of the circuit board materials are generally known, there is no difficulty for a person acquainted with the art-in determining the appropriate selection of material and the sharpness and angle of the retaining element. For by far the most cases, sheet steel punched out with appropriately sharp edges would appear to be suitable material. The retain ing element can itself consist of resilient material, but a part or even the whole initial pressure directed towards the circuit'board surface can be taken over by abutment flanges of resilient formation; in such a case the retaining element can be secured rigidly to the abutment flanges.

The retaining element can be secured externally to the abutment flanges, but it is especially advantageous to enlarge the slot in the push-on handle in such a way that the retaining element is located between the abutment flanges and an inserted circuit board, since then the retaining element is concealed by the handle and furthermore the mechanical loading of the retaining element is reduced to a minimum. I

This solution can be realised especially advantageously also ifthe retaining element is made as a unit as a strip bent approximately into U-form, the sharpedged ends of which are directed towards the circuit board, and if the receiving slot is made somewhat wider than the crosssection' of the circuit board to be inserted. In this case it is advisable for the sides of the slot to converge towards the open end of the slot and to adapt the retaining element to the selected slot crosssection in such a way that after introduction into the slot it is locked therein by the taper. Thus. additional fixing of the retaining element to the circuit board hecomes superfluous, so that the manufacturing. process is not delayed. Moreover, in this case, after insertion, the retaining element is pressed firmly by the circuit board against the slot walls, so that the board is reliably secured by very simple means. Particularly effective digging of the sharp-edged points of the retaining element into the circuit board is ensured if the ends of the retaining element set at an angle to one another in V- form.

In order to prevent the circuit board from shifting on the base of a widened slot as aforesaid, it is advantageous if the receiving slot and/or retaining element have at the base of the slot a groove for the centring of the innermost edge of the circuit board.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is explained in greater detail hereinafter in relation to examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGS. 1 and 2 respectively show an end elevation and a side elevation of a push-on handle;

FIG. 3 is a sectional elevation of another push-on handle;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic elevation of a detail of the handle of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIGS. 5 to 8 are sectional elevations respectively of four further forms of push-on handle.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 a retaining handle 2 is provided with a slot 3 in which at least one retaining element 4 with sharp-edged inwardly obliquely directed ends 10, 11 (FIG. 4), is arranged. The slot 3 is tapered in cross-section so that it converges towards the slot opening in such a way that the retaining element 4 which is shaped to fit the slot 3 is firmly locked in the slot 3. On the base of the slot 3 a tapered groove 6 is provided in-which the retaining element 4 also fits. This ensures that the edge of a circuit board inserted through the slot opening 7 is received in the groove 6 which prevents the edge from moving laterally over the widened base 5. The retaining element 4 is made as a unit from resilient sheet steel strip which is approximately U-shaped, the spring effect of which causes it to bear firmly against resilient abutment flanges 8, 9 defining the slot 3. With the design shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 it is advantageous for the handle 2 to be simply extruded. Then any desired number of retaining elements 4 can be slid into position along the slot 3.

As may be seen from FIG, 4, the sharp-edged ends or points 10, 11 press laterally against the circuit board 12, introduced between them, in such a way that they dig into the circuit board and prevent extraction of the circuit board 12 from the slot 3 in a direction contrary to the direction in which the ends 10, 11 point,

FIG. 3 shows a push-on handle 2 with a different cross-sectional form of slot 3 and retaining element 4. However, the shapes of the handle 2 and retaining element 4 are equally well shaped to retain the two parts locked in relation to one another and reliably to retain the circuit board 12 steadily located in the slot opening and in the region of the slot base 5.

FIG. 5 shows a push-on handle 2 in which a retaining element 4 embraces the outside of the push-on handle. In this case high demands are made of the strength properties of the retaining element 4, since the support provided by the abutment flanges 8, 9 in the proceding examples does not come into effect in this example.

FIG. 6 shows a push-on handle 2 in section, in which the retaining element 4 consists merely of a bent element secured laterally to the push-on handle by means of a rivet l3 and presenting a single sharp-edged inwardly obliquely directed end.

FIGS. 7 and 8 likewise show push-on handles in section, where the retention of circuit boards 12 is achieved merely by unilaterally acting retaining elements 4. In this case the resilient pressing of the retaining elements is achieved by the initial pressure of the correspondingly formed resilient abutment flanges 8, 9 which hold the retaining elements resiliently against the circuit boards.

I claim:

1. A push-on handle for a circuit board to be carried by the handle, said handle comprising an elongated member formed longitudinally on one side thereof with a slot to receive said circuit boards, and a retaining element secured to said member so as to be immovable as a whole relative to said member and having a sharpedged projection formed and located to permit insertion of said board into said slot and to dig resiliently into the surface of said circuit board when mounted in said slot, so as to resist the withdrawal of the circuit board from said slot and permanently affix said handle to said board.

2. A push-on handle according to claim 1, in which said slot is defined by resilient abutment flanges forming part of said member and said retaining member is secured rigidly to at least one said abutment flange.

3. A push-on handle according to claim 1, in which said retaining element is formed as a unit from resilient material.

4. A push-on handle according to claim 2, in which said retaining member is mounted outside said abutment flanges with said sharp-edged projection outside said groove.

5. A push-on handle according to claim 1, in which said sharp-edged projection is directed obliquely against the surface of said circuit board in a direction such that said surface slides past said projection on insertion of said board and said projection tends to dig into said board on reverse movement of said board.

6. A push-on handle according to claim 5, in which said retaining element has two sharp edged projections, one on each side of the board to be inserted into the groove, and set at an angle to one another in V-form.

7. A push-on handle according to claim 1, in which said retaining element is formed as a whole from a 4 metal strip bent approximately in U-form, each .end being provided with a sharp-edged projection to provide one sharp edge to lie on each side of the board to be inserted into the groove, said edges being set at angles in V-form with the apex of the V-form pointing to the base of said groove.

8. A push-on handle according to claim 1, in which said slot is made wider than the cross-section of the circuit board to be inserted and shaped so that its sides converge towards the slot opening and in which the retaining element is a strip bent to fit wholly inside said slot by bearing against the sides and base of said slot and the ends of said strip being formed with sharpedged projections set to bear resiliently and obliquely against opposite sides of the circuit board when inserted.

9. A push-on handle according to claim 8, in which said slot broadens from its opening to its base, the slot base being formed with a groove into which the innermost edge of the circuit board enters to centre thecircuit board in said slot when mounted in said slot.

10. In combination, a circuit board and a handle secured thereto along at least one edge of the board, said handle comprising an elongated member formed longitudinally on one side thereof with a slot in which an edge portion of the circuit board is insertedly located, a retaining element secured to said member so as to be immovable as a whole relative to said member, said retaining element having a sharp-edged projection formed and located so as to permit insertion of said board edge portion into said slot through the mouth thereof but digging resiliently into the surface of said board so as to resist withdrawal of the board from said slot and substantially permanently affix said handle to said board, said slot having at least one portion inwardly of the mouth thereof which is of substantially the same width as the thickness of the board edge portion so as to finnly embrace said edge portion inwardly of the slot mouth and prevent lateral shifting of said edge portion normal to the slot sides.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein said elongated memberhas its outer surfaces generally regularly formed so as to be readily graspable by hand, and being devoid of protruding members which would substantially hinder easy grasping by hand.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein said slot is wider than the cross-section of the circuit board and shaped so that its sides converge toward the slot opening such that the slot broadens from its opening to its base, said retaining element comprising a strip bent to'fit wholly inside said slot by bearing against the sides and base of said slot, and the ends of said strip being formed with sharp-edged projections set to bear resiliently and obliquely against opposite sides of the circuit board, the slot base being formed with a groove in which the innermost edge of the circuit board is insertedly located so as to center the circuit board in said slot, the walls of said groove firmly embracing said board so as to prevent lateral shifting of the board edge portion normal to the sides of the slot and the groove. 

1. A push-on handle for a circuit board to be carried by the handle, said handle comprising an elongated member formed longitudinally on one side thereof with a slot to receive said circuit boards, and a retaining element secured to said member so as to be immovable as a whole relative to said member and having a sharp-edged projection formed and located to permit insertion of said board into said slot and to dig resiliently into the surface of said circuit board when mounted in said slot, so as to resist the withdrawal of the circuit board from said slot and permanently affix said handle to said board.
 2. A push-on handle according to claim 1, in which said slot is defined by resilient abutment flanges forming part of said member and said retaining member is secured rigidly to at least one said abutment flange.
 3. A push-on handle according to claim 1, in which said retaining element is formed as a unit from resilient material.
 4. A push-on handle according to claim 2, in which said retaining member is mounted outside said abutment flanges with said sharp-edged projection outside said groove.
 5. A push-on handle according to claim 1, in which said sharp-edged projection is directed obliquely against the surface of said circuit board in a direction such that said surface slides past said projection on insertion of said board and said projection tends to dig into said board on reverse movement of said board.
 6. A push-on handle according to claim 5, in which said retaining element has two sharp edged projections, one on each side of the board to be inserted into the groove, and set at an angle to one another in V-form.
 7. A push-on handle according to claim 1, in which said retaining element is formed as a whole from a metal strip bent approximately in U-form, each end being provided with a sharp-edged projection to provide one sharp edge to lie on each side of the board to be inserted into the groove, said edges being set at angles in V-form with the apex of the V-form pointing to the base of said groove.
 8. A push-on handle according to claim 1, in which said slot is made wider than the cross-section of the circuit board to be inserted and shaped so that its sides converge towards the slot opening and in which the retaining element is a strip bent to fit wholly inside said slot by bearing against the sides and base of said slot and the ends Of said strip being formed with sharp-edged projections set to bear resiliently and obliquely against opposite sides of the circuit board when inserted.
 9. A push-on handle according to claim 8, in which said slot broadens from its opening to its base, the slot base being formed with a groove into which the innermost edge of the circuit board enters to centre the circuit board in said slot when mounted in said slot.
 10. In combination, a circuit board and a handle secured thereto along at least one edge of the board, said handle comprising an elongated member formed longitudinally on one side thereof with a slot in which an edge portion of the circuit board is insertedly located, a retaining element secured to said member so as to be immovable as a whole relative to said member, said retaining element having a sharp-edged projection formed and located so as to permit insertion of said board edge portion into said slot through the mouth thereof but digging resiliently into the surface of said board so as to resist withdrawal of the board from said slot and substantially permanently affix said handle to said board, said slot having at least one portion inwardly of the mouth thereof which is of substantially the same width as the thickness of the board edge portion so as to firmly embrace said edge portion inwardly of the slot mouth and prevent lateral shifting of said edge portion normal to the slot sides.
 11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein said elongated member has its outer surfaces generally regularly formed so as to be readily graspable by hand, and being devoid of protruding members which would substantially hinder easy grasping by hand.
 12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein said slot is wider than the cross-section of the circuit board and shaped so that its sides converge toward the slot opening such that the slot broadens from its opening to its base, said retaining element comprising a strip bent to fit wholly inside said slot by bearing against the sides and base of said slot, and the ends of said strip being formed with sharp-edged projections set to bear resiliently and obliquely against opposite sides of the circuit board, the slot base being formed with a groove in which the innermost edge of the circuit board is insertedly located so as to center the circuit board in said slot, the walls of said groove firmly embracing said board so as to prevent lateral shifting of the board edge portion normal to the sides of the slot and the groove. 